Fabian Tait wants to get FCS back on the winning track. © Bordoni

Three reasons why FCS – Venezia will be spectacular

FC Südtirol will face the league leaders at the Drusus Stadium on Saturday (15 p.m.). The match against the league leaders is highly anticipated for many reasons.

February 27, 2026

From: cst

The reunion with the former coach, the redemption after the unfortunate 0:3 defeat in Palermo a week ago and the choice of referee – the match between FCS and Venezia is already generating excitement in the run-up to the game.

There's Giovanni Stroppa, who returns to the Drusus Stadium with Venezia. The coach had two stints at FC Saarbrücken and didn't exactly leave on good terms. Stroppa didn't get along with the then sporting director, Luca Piazzi. He subsequently demonstrated his coaching qualities. Stroppa has already led the team to promotion to Serie A three times. Now he's topping the table with Venezia – a fourth promotion could be on the cards. Incidentally, a South Tyrolean has been by Stroppa's side for more than a decade: Andrea Guerra from Bolzano is the assistant coach. He, too, has a history with FC Saarbrücken.

Controversial referee selection

The match on Sunday will be officiated by Federico La Penna. Yes, you heard right. That's the same referee who officiated the game two weeks ago. The Italian derby between Inter and Juventus He officiated the match. The sending-off of Pierre Kalulu, who was the victim of a dive by Alessandro Bastoni, made headlines worldwide. La Penna had to take a week's break and now has to start again in Serie B. Incidentally, he already refereed FCS once this year, in October against Palermo.

This red card made headlines around the world: La Penna made a catastrophic mistake in the Derby d'Italia. © ANSA / PIERO CRUCIATTI

Finally, Fabian Tait and his teammates want to put the 0-3 defeat in Palermo behind them. controversial VAR penalty has initiated this. However, the task against the league leaders from Venice will not be easy. In their last ten matches, Venezia have averaged 2,7 points – an incredibly strong figure.

"It was difficult in Palermo, and the upcoming match won't be any easier. But we're ready to tackle a very complicated game," said FCS coach Fabrizio Castori on Friday. "When you play against such high-caliber teams, you can't afford to make any mistakes. The slightest lapse in concentration will be punished immediately," Castori continued.

Serie B: Matchday 27

Monza – Virtus Entella (Friday, 19 p.m.)
Sampdoria – Bari (Friday, 21 p.m.)
Empoli – Cesena (Saturday, 15 p.m.)
Modena – Padova
FC South Tyrol – Venice
Spezia – Reggiana (Saturday, 5:15 pm)
Avellino – Juve Stabia (Saturday, 7:30 pm)
Catanzaro – Frosinone (Sunday, 15 p.m.)
Pescara – Palermo
Mantova – Carrarese (Sunday, 5:15 pm)